n "Alabam."

Camp on Bear Creek, Thursday, Oct. 22. The 3rd Brigade came up this
morning bright and early. The train stuck in the mud, so they did not
come through last night. Did not move. Wrote a letter home this morning.
Washed a shirt and pair of socks in the P. M. Information received at
headquarters that a battery of six 12-pound light guns had been shipped
for us to Vicksburg, also one for the 12th Battery. Efforts are being
made to send an officer after them; hope they will succeed. I gather
news from the front that Osterhaus, who is in the advance, encountered
Roddey's command, they coming up in federal uniform, killing Colonel W.
M. Torrence, 30th Iowa and several others after which they skedaddled.
This was the firing heard last night. Batteries were opened on them.
Forrest is reported at Tuscumbia, strongly fortified, determined to
retard our progress. J. W. Jenawein was to-day made second lieutenant,
and Joseph Hood 6th sergeant orderly instead. Mail arrived 9 P. M.

[Sidenote: 1863 Cold in the South]

Dickson Station, Ala., Friday, Oct. 23. Reveille before daylight.
Raining very heavy. Orders to march at 7 A. M. We were on the advance of
the column, and an order came to hitch up and strike tents before the
cooks had breakfast started. The rain was very cold and my fingers were
numb before I got my team harnessed and hitched. It was very
disagreeable work. "Stand to Horse" was sounded before we were fairly
hitched up, and we started out on a trot to pass the regiments as we
were behindhand. The road was muddy and rough, the horses all trembling
from cold, and the drivers with wet clothes and cold hands, shivering
and wishing they could go to the stove and warm--(that is, in
Wisconsin). But we moved on lively passing over several ridges, then the
valley widened into a very pretty cultivated country. Our road lay along
the railroad, the track of which was badly destroyed. All the trestle
work burned, and a fire built at the end of each rail crooking it so as
to destroy it. The column halted at Dickson Station, a tiny depot
building with a fine farming country on each side and extensive
buildings. The fence was torn down, and we came into battery in a field
of clover. A large fire of rails was started, and we warmed while the
General looked for camping ground and water. In half an hour Dillon's
orderly came back and we moved to the right half a mile, and came into
camp nearly on the bluffs, unharnessed,